[andrewas]

WELCOME TO THE BOARD!

anyway, you are correct. mages in BG1 tend to be relatively weak compared to those in BG2, they just cant memorize enough spells. there is a ring of wizardry lying outside the FAI though, that usualy helps matters. it doubles your 1st level spells - and magic missile is one of the most useful right up until the very end of ToB, so its definatly gonna be usful throughout BG1. if you rest more often so you always have spells available, then you can at least be useful more often.

i woudnt take more than one mage in a BG1 party - compared to 3 for a BG2 party - although i am tempted to create a six-mage party just for kicks. obviously not all pure mages.

and you should stick a high end sling on a mage - +2 if you can get it. since they tend to stand back they are in the best position to pelt people with stones. a staff for hand-to-hand, although thats a last resort.